Decorating Bedrooms on a Budget

by Kathy Wilson

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It's no secret that people tend to put decorating bedrooms on a back burner. It seems like the first area of your home you decorate is always the most public. I think we should all remember that home decorating is about creating a home for you and the ones you love, and making a wonderful refuge by decorating bedroom areas is a must. You can decorate on a budget with a little creativity and elbow grease. Here are The Budget Decorator's top tips to decorating bedrooms on a dime:

Get rid of all clutter! The bedroom is supposed to be a restful place. How can any of us rest with a week's worth of laundry piled on the dresser, or all those things you dump in the bedroom because you need to speed clean, and you know you can close the bedroom door? Spend one afternoon and dive in, or split it up into several afternoons and do one area at a time. Find a place for everything, and put everything in its place!

Good storage for the bedroom doesn't have to be expensive. Under bed storage can include inexpensive plastic tubs, or you can even cut sturdy cardboard boxes down to the proper height so they can slide easily under the bed. Store off season clothes, craft supplies, and even extra linens under the bed.

Create a theme and color scheme for your bedroom, and let it reflect who you are. You will save a lot of money when decorating bedrooms by having a plan to keep you on track. Name your theme, even if it's something simple like "Cool Refreshing Modern." Now whenever you make a purchase or a decision for your bedroom, all you have to do is ask yourself this question: Does it fit with my theme? If the answer isn't clear, don't' waste your money!

You don't have to replace all your bedding when decorating bedrooms in your home. That can be prohibitively expensive, and it isn't necessary. Once you've chosen your theme and color scheme, purchase flat sheets in the size of your bed. Sew or fuse along three side and insert your old comforter, then add Velcro or buttons to close the third side. You've created a duvet cover for just a few dollars to give your room a whole new look!

Make the bed the focal point of the room. Hang something dramatic behind it, or drape some fabric from the ceiling in a swag to give the feeling of a canopy bed. Wall art for the bedroom can be creative, and should fit in your theme. At a loss? Pick up eight to ten picture frames from the dollar store, fill with scrapbooking paper in your colors, and hang gallery style right above the bed. Home decorating doesn't have to be expensive!

You can use stencils and fabric paint to create linens with a luxury touch. Stencil fleur de lis, vines or flowers, or another motif to match your theme along the top edge of your sheets and outer edge of your pillowcases. You can even use the same stencils and paint to add a border to your duvet cover. Remember, less is more. I like to use a soft gold or silver to give it that expensive look.

Remember, paint is your friend when decorating bedrooms. Color creates mood, and where better to create a mood? Cool colors such as blue and green or violet are calming and relaxing. Keep the colors light to give the bedroom an airy feel. Warm colors such as reds and yellows give a room energy and passion. If you can't afford to paint the whole room, paint just the wall behind the bed for impact. Check the paint counter for cans of paint discounted because they were mixed and not sold.

Don't forget the windows. If all you have on your windows are white mini blinds, you should try softening them and adding some style. Sheers are very inexpensive, or you can sew or fuse simple rod pocket curtains or a valance in a color to coordinate with your bedding.

Now for the jewelry of decorating bedrooms. Accessories! Add throw pillows to your bed for pattern and color. (Not too many, ladies…) Pick up some pretty ceramic picture frames at the dollar shop and add them to the nightstand. A simple and inexpensive rag rug on the floor offers a feeling of comfort. Display candles, of course, and a vase to fill with flowers, all of which can be found inexpensively.

When home decorating, decorating bedrooms can often be left by the wayside. Don't let this happen to your home. We all need a refuge from daily life. Home decorating on a budget can be creative and fun, so decorate the bedroom.

Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of free budget home decorating ideas visit her at TheBudgetDecorator.com.

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